# Changing the language of your code

[Programming guides](README.md)

Pliro has one canonical language and multiple source-syntax locales. Locale
profiles map keyword spellings during lexing and standard-library aliases during
name resolution. This mapping does not mutate source. There is not a separate
English parser and Dutch parser.

The currently installed exact, lowercase source tags are `en` and `nl`. The
compiler selects them from an explicit directive, project/API setting, or [CLI](../concepts/command-line.md)
option; it does not auto-detect locale from keyword frequency.

## Protected user content

Syntax conversion never translates:

- user-created identifiers;
- map member names;
- text literal contents;
- ordinary comments.

Runtime display is canonical rather than syntax-localized: `text(true)`,
`text(false)`, and `text(none)` produce `"true"`, `"false"`, and `"none"`
even when the source syntax is Dutch.

For example, converting this English syntax:

```text
# language: en
let aantalLevens = 3
say "Hallo wereld", aantalLevens
```

to Dutch syntax changes language-owned spellings but preserves the identifier
and text:

```text
# taal: nl
laat aantalLevens = 3
zeg "Hallo wereld", aantalLevens
```

## Canonical symbols

Localized built-ins share stable canonical IDs:

| Canonical ID | English | Dutch |
|---|---|---|
| `core.print` | `say` | `zeg` |
| `app.exit` | `exitApp` | `sluitApp` |
| `events.started` | `started` | `gestart` |
| `events.after` | `after` | `na` |
| `events.messageReceived` | `messageReceived` | `berichtOntvangen` |
| `events.keyPressed` | `keyPressed` | `toetsGedrukt` |
| `events.pointerPressed` | `pointerPressed` | `aanwijzerGedrukt` |
| `events.pointerReleased` | `pointerReleased` | `aanwijzerLosgelaten` |
| `events.pointerClicked` | `pointerClicked` | `aanwijzerGeklikt` |
| `events.pointerX` | `pointerX` | `aanwijzerX` |
| `events.pointerY` | `pointerY` | `aanwijzerY` |
| `events.broadcast` | `broadcast` | `zendBericht` |
| `input.readLine` | `ask` | `vraag` |
| `graphics.rectangle` | `rectangle` | `rechthoek` |
| `sprites.show` | `showSprite` | `toonSprite` |
| `scene3d.box` | `box3D` | `doos3D` |
| `scene3d.cylinder` | `cylinder3D` | `cilinder3D` |
| `scene3d.texture` | `texture3D` | `textuur3D` |
| `scene3d.draw` | `draw3D` | `teken3D` |
| `gpio.write` | `writePin` | `schrijfPin` |

Only aliases from the selected source locale are installed. User declarations
may shadow those aliases.

## Symbol-aware translation

Translation changes a standard-library spelling only when name resolution
proves it refers to that built-in. A user-defined function named like a built-in
remains user content. Translation requires source that passes lexical, syntax,
and semantic checks.

```shell
pliro translate --to nl program.pliro
pliro translate --to en project.bipli
```

Translation preserves ordinary comments, strings, whitespace, indentation, and
line endings except for the localized directive, keywords, and resolved
standard-library aliases it intentionally changes.

CLI translation writes translated entry-source text to standard output and
does not modify its input. For `.bipli`, the compiler checks and translates one
coherent project snapshot, but the CLI still prints only the translated entry
source; it does not rewrite or create a project archive. The desktop [IDE](../concepts/ide.md) can
convert every project source into dirty editor buffers and persists them only
after an explicit Save All.

## Related entries

[Syntax and values](../syntax/README.md) · [Built-ins](../builtins/README.md) · [Programming guides](README.md)